Brigadier General Brian M. Simpler

Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander

Brigadier General Brian M. Simpler serves as the Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Florida National Guard, and also serves as the Commander, Florida Air National Guard. General Simpler is responsible for mission readiness, operations and coordination of the ten Florida Air National Guard (FLANG) units at seven geographically separated sites. His scope of responsibility includes $550 million in facilities and equipment, $750 million in aircraft, $120 million in operating budgets, and command of 2000 personnel.

In 2016, General Simpler was the Acting Vice Commander, Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region-First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) and currently serves as a qualified Deputy Combined Forces Air Component Commander for 1st Air Force. General Simpler is also the Vice Chairman, ANG Strategic Planning System-Atlantic Region. Prior to assuming his current position, Gen Simpler served as the Chief of Staff, Florida Air National Guard, Saint Augustine, Florida.

General Simpler received his commission from the United States Air Force Academy in May 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Humanities. He then completed undergraduate pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas, where he was named a Distinguished Graduate. He participated in military operations to include Operations Provide Comfort, Northern Watch and Southern Watch. General Simpler joined the Florida Air National Guard in 1998 and held numerous positions at the 125th Fighter Wing. As wing commander, he was responsible for the Federal Air Sovereignty mission, the State mission of the unit and the geographically separated units. He was also Chairman of the Air National Guard Aerospace Control Alert Weapons System Council.